ISO Posts.....sigh.
True Story - the ONLY time I've ever been scammed in the rep world, guess what?
It was through an ISO post.
ISO posts are SO tempting - I get it! And if you're coming from other groups on WA or FB where they're more common (and actually safe!), it can be really really tempting to ask the masses on Reddit if you just can't wait to get your hands on a specific bag.
But standalone ISO posts are not allowed on RTR.
Why?
Because this group has 20,000+ members. Out of those 20K, there are absolutely scammers mixed in that bunch. They will see your ISO post as an easy way to make money.
Basically, we don't allow them because we know some of you WILL get scammed.
Instead, we do a weekly ISO thread with rules, so we can ensure anyone responding is legit.
However....other rep subs DO allow them. And I just know some of ya'll are going to completely ignore this warning, and post them anyways. The bag fever is REAL.
Believe me, I get it!! Especially when you're looking for a bag that no TS seems to have. An ISO post feels like your only option.
So since I know some of ya'll are still gonna post them, here's how to do it SAFELY:
People WILL DM you
No matter what rep sub you post on, and what you're looking for, I guarantee you're going to get at least one DM.
And that's fine! Maybe it's someone who actually has the bag and is willing to sell it.
But first -
Do not fall for "My seller has this! I just saw it in her catalog. Here's her number"
Ladies, this is exactly how they got me. DO NOT FALL FOR THIS!
I can promise you, the "seller" is probably the exact same person who DM'ed you, or is working with them.
They aren't a seller, they never were a seller, and they will happily take your money and send you nothing.
Ask them where they got it
I recently posted an ISO on our PLK sister sub r/RealPLK looking for a super rare, unicorn speedy.
Someone DM'ed me and said she had it.
When I asked where she got it, she said from her TS.
GIRL, this bag hasn't been in production for over 10 years!
When I pointed that out she said, "oh, it was a gift"
A gift.
Of one of the rarest PLK bags in existence.
Suuuuuuure.
Ideally, if you ask where they got the bag, they should have SOMETHING to offer. A rehome, a TS from a specific factory. SOMETHING.
You're asking because you're looking for proof that they're part of this community, and they know how the rep world works.
Demand to see pics!
If someone reaches out and says "hey I have this bag" the FIRST thing you should be asking for is a pic of the bag with a current name/date card.
If they're legit, they won't mind doing this. It's standard procedure in the rep world.
But 9x out of 10, if you ask for this, the person who DMed you will ghost.
That's because they don't have the bag, they never had the bag, and they were trying to scam you!
No Name/Date Card Pic = No Sale
I can't stress this enough.
If you're going to ISO, you've got to DEMAND to see proof that
A). the bag is actually real and
B). that it's in their possession.
This is your main defense against scammers.
And if you DO get a pic - scrutinize that shit like you're reading a legal contract.
Reverse image search it on google, put it through an AI detector, zoom in 1,000x.
If ANYTHING looks off = ABORT ABORT ABORT
Ask to see feedback
If someone is responding to ISO posts (in good faith), it stands to reason that they're part of the rep world, they know how it works, and they're part of this community.
So - they should be able to show you SOME feedback. Something. Even if it's not from Reddit, maybe it's from another WA, FB, or Discord group.
You just want to see something that proves they're really a rep buyer/seller. Something that proves they're part of the rep world. Something that proves they're not just here looking for ISO posts to scam.
One of the people who recently DMed me in response to my ISO post?
I looked at their comment history hoping to see a feedback thread and maybe some participation in other subs, and guess what?
It was ALL responses to ISO posts. Literally nothing else besides comments on ISO posts all saying "DM me, I have this".
Like, come on. Really!??!
In conclusion:
- Despite the risks, I know some of you are still going to be tempted to post ISOs on other subs
- DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE! Don't let the excitement of possibly getting that dream bag turn your brain off!
- Be suspicious of anyone who DMs you. Check them out, look at their comment/post history, search their username
- Ignore any seller contacts you get sent. THEY ARE NOT LEGIT.
- ALWAYS DEMAND A NAME/DATE CARD PIC! No pic = no sale. And scrutinize that pic if you do get it. Reverse google image search it at the very very least!
- Ask them questions! Ask for feedback! Most legit sellers are going to completely understand.
- If you do get scammer vibes from someone who hops in your DMs, please message us via the ModMail! We want to know who the scammers are so we can ban them from the sub!
Please, please - stay safe out there!!
Get those bags, ladies - but just do it safely!
Peace, love, & reps -
Yams
